Moe Danger
Although the team remain on their Challenger Cup high, head coach
Tian Yonghang was quick to warn them that they were at very real risk of relegation from Division Two. This latest defeat has them down to fifth place after getting overtaken by the Jokers, and just four points from automatic relegation, as Bukit Regency went some way towards saving themselves with a 5-2 away win at fellow stragglers Glory Paradiso.
"A cup's all well and good, but a return to the third division would be a hefty setback too." Tian reminded. "I understand that the competition has taken plenty out of everyone, but we have to bounce back - and fast."
The next fixture against newbies are newbies won't be easy either, as newbies demonstrated with their 3-2 win over second-placed Arcturules today, moreover leading by three at one point. Singapore Red Dragons look good value for the title, as they widened their lead at the top to four points with an entertaining 5-3 triumph over Queenstown MZKs, despite Czech star Tomáš Aron scoring a hat-trick for the latter.
Farmer Bunnies look set for the drop as they drifted nine points from safety with just five rounds remaining, with title favourites Moeinsingapore smashing five past them free and clear. Young defender
Arun Ponnusamy admitted that the hosts were by far the better side today. "I can't say we defended badly, but they sure knew how to dismantle our defence."
Dragon Devil's kept up the chase by whipping Pasir Ris Corsairs 7-0, while frunzelite - fresh from cup glory - rode Foong Kuan Huat's second minute tap-in on Felipe Rubio Gómez's breakthrough, to a 3-0 shutout of AMDK FC. The Buns' next opponents Featureship FC were in good form too, as they upset Crypto Moon 2-0 with big wingman Brody Lim shining.
Grilled International paradoxically have a better hope of survival despite wallowing at the bottom of H.I. IV.5, with just four points separating them from Miki Munster in fourth place. They will still have to win to stay up, though, which looks an increasingly tall order, from how they were beaten 2-5 by Finland's Atletico Zvedza CF. Zvedza captain Nikko Koski found a hat-trick from midfield, as
Phua Li Kong and
Snæbjörn Sigfússon assuaged the pain slightly.
CD Barcelota maintained their five-point advantage at the top once more, as they defeated DAB Ceuta 5-2 with Emanuele Sciacqua ascendant. No gun but Roses FC continued going about their own business as they beat FC Cuba Lötschen away 4-1 thanks to a comparable display from Alexander Evans, as LEGIA GDAŃSK 2017 nearly caught up with Miki Muster after a 2-0 win cemented by Chinese fullback Pang Renlong's remarkable 31st minute run.